Bike Riding On The Islands
For one of the best island tours, hop an a bicycle. Our well- maintained bike paths cover 25 miles of shopping districts and back roads, and they meander through friendly neighbor- hoods, beneath shady canopies, across wooden bridges and along quiet water- ways.

Paradise Pathways
By bike is the most intimate way to get to know Sanibel Island. (Captiva's narrow, twisty roads make biking risky.) Twenty-five miles of paved bike paths take you almost anywhere you want to go. They lead to shops, restaurants, points of interest, wildlife  centers and beaches.

Many island resorts, hotels and motels have bicycles for guest use, plus there are public bike rental facilities on both islands.

Follow these easy rules of the road for maximum enjoyment:
  • Use designated bike paths where available.
  • If you ride on the roadway Stay single file on the far right side of the road and ride with the traffic. Observe traffic laws and signs and don't forget to use hand signals.
  • Bikes are not allowed on the beach.
  • Florida law requires that bike riders under 16 wear helmets.
Some Suggested Bike Trips:
Rabbit Road Trail
The Rabbit Road path runs behind some homes and along a canal. If you go early in the morning, you're likely to see plenty of the small gray marsh rabbits that give the road its name. Wading herons and alligator snouts are other common sightings along the quiet one mile stretch between West Gulf Drive and Sanibel-Captiva road. Near it's intersection with the Sanibel-Captiva path, you'll find a drinking fountain.
Wildlife Drive
Paved with shell and hard-packed sand, this route is a bit rough, especially for skinny biked tires. It's a four mile loop around J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, ending three miles north of the starting point on Sanibel-Captiva Road. Along the way, you can stop and hike into the refuge on short trails or climb the bird observation tower. Avoid the road at sunset, when abundant car traffic will kick up dust. Bicyclists must pay $1.00 per person over the age of 16, (free for children 15 years and under), to enter the refuge Wildlife Drive.
Dixie Beach Road
This long, straight, easy stretch of 1.5 miles takes you from Periwinkle Way, near Heart of the Islands shopping center, to San Carlos Bay. Where the road meets the Bay, you can turn right and gaze at beautiful Bay front homes, or turn left and follow a contorted shell road to an undiscovered place where old island collides with new.
Middle Gulf Cemetery Route
East of Casa Ybel Road, the Middle Gulf Drive bike path leaves the roadside and takes you into the back woods. Here you'll find Sanibel's pioneer cemetery, which is not accessible by car. The path continues over the river and off-road to the beach at Gulfside Park.
Bailey Road-Dunes Circle
Bailey Road leaves Periwinkle Way just west of the causeway and leaves to the bay. If you turn left on Sandcastle Road, you can circle around the neighborhood of the Dunes and its lushly landscaped, lovely homes. Continue along the 2.5 mile loop and you'll eventually pass the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club and return to where you began. Across from the Dunes exit, an evacuation trail takes a short cut to Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and Causeway Road. For an add-on to this route, look for a path across from the golf club entrance that will take you to Bay Road and an exclusive waterfront neighborhood.

Borrowed from Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce

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